Help Restore Your Digestive Balance

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can be consumed via fermented foods or supplements. Research indicates that imbalances in our digestive system bacteria are correlated with a broad range of challenges in our digestive wellbeing.

Probiotics may be able to help restore a natural or more favourable gut flora balance. Assisting gut flora imbalances has been linked with an array of health benefits. 

Our digestive systems contain trillions of microbes, mainly bacteria, which affect our health in a multitude of ways. 

Our digestive systems become imbalanced when the ratio of ‘bad’ bacteria to ‘good’ bacteria is not quite right.

Imbalances can be caused by poor diet, stress, or as a reaction to taking certain antibiotics. 

Probiotic foods and supplements contain specific strains or blends of ‘good’ bacteria, which can help to maintain/support intestinal flora to help restore digestive balance, to your digestive system.

An unhealthy gut microbiome can cause the following symptoms:

• Excess gas, bloating and digestive discomfort

• Digestive challenges including irregular bowel movements

Probiotic-Rich Foods for Better Gut Health

Fermented foods and drinks packed with probiotics that can help build and maintain healthy gut flora are popular in many cultures. 

Incorporating the following foods into your diet can provide powerful benefits for body and mind:

• Yoghurt (with live bacteria cultures)

• Kefir

• Sauerkraut 

• Kimchi

• Tempeh

• Kombucha

• Miso

Did you know Kombucha is a drink made from black or green tea that’s fermented with sugar, yeast, and a colony of friendly bacteria? Making kombucha at home is an easy, fun project that’s a fantastic way to incorporate more probiotics into your routine!

Four Lesser-Known Benefits of Probiotics

While there are many different strains of probiotics, the types present in most probiotic-rich foods and probiotic supplements are predominantly from the genus’ Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus.

Bifidobacteria: One of the major genera of bacteria that make up the gastrointestinal tract microbiota in humans and other mammals. 

• The genus of bacteria found in most probiotic-rich foods and used in supplements

• May inhibit pathogens and harmful bacteria from colonising or infecting the gut mucosa

Lactobacillus: A genus of bacteria that constitutes a significant component of the human microbiome within the digestive system and female genital system.

• Produces lactase, the enzyme that can break down the milk sugar, lactose

• Also produces lactic acid, which can create a hostile environment for ‘bad’ bacteria to grow

Introducing Probiotic Supplements to Your Routine

Curious about probiotics and whether they’re right for you? The who, when and how of probiotic supplementation.

Who Should Take a Probiotic Supplement?

When taking antibiotics, particularly for an extended period, it can kill off ‘good’ bacteria within the digestive system and cause microbial flora imbalance. Taking probiotics can help reset a favourable balance of bacteria while taking certain antibiotics. To learn more about probiotics and antibiotics, read our article, "How to Support Gut Health During Antibiotic Use."

Probiotics may be able to reduce some symptoms of challenged digestive health, providing relief from excess gas and bloating.

When Should You Take a Probiotic Supplement?

Taking probiotic supplements at the right time is important to ensure that the highest percentage possible of live bacteria make it to the large intestine where they will have maximum benefit.

Live strain probiotic supplements should be taken on an empty stomach or at least 20 minutes after eating when the stomach environment is less acidic, making the bacteria’s passage to the gut easier.

Probiotic supplements that utilise enteric coatings or delayed-release capsules are more likely to survive stomach acid so the time at which they’re taken is less important and can be taken with meals. 

Which Probiotic Strains are Best Researched?

Bifidobacterium lactis is one of the world’s most documented probiotic, having been described in many publications, including human clinical studies. Also, supplementing L. rhamnosus GG can support immune system function. 

Improve Your Gut Health in Five Simple Steps:

1. Reduce stress and get adequate sleep

2. Eat probiotic-rich foods such as live-culture yoghurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, and tempeh

3. Take a good-quality daily probiotic supplement such as Nature’s Way Restore

4. Consume prebiotic fibre

5. Consider probiotics if you are taking antibiotics

What Nature’s Way Restore Probiotic Can Do for You

Nature’s Way Restore range makes choosing the right probiotic supplement for you simple. Each product in the Restore range is evidence backed and contains a spectrum of live strains of beneficial bacteria. 

Each Nature’s Way Restore product contains added prebiotic fibre and is delivered in a convenient, fridge-free format.

In addition to helping to maintain general health and wellbeing, supplementing daily with Nature’s Way Restore Probiotics may help to:

• Support healthy colon function and bowel regularity

• Promote healthy digestive system function

• Relieve excess intestinal gas, abdominal bloating, and distention

• Maintain beneficial gut flora

• Support healthy digestive system bacteria during antibiotic use

• Maintain immune system health and function

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.